The EU was awarded the prize in recognition of "over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe", and becomes the 25th institution to receive the prize since its creation in 1901.

The EU has been awarded the 2012 Nobel peace prize for its historic role in uniting the continent. Photograph: Olivier Hoslet/EPA

It has been an open secret that the challenges currently facing the EU were also taken into account by the awarding panel, whose secretary said the prize was intended to send a message to the European public, urging them "to secure what they have achieved on this continent".

This was also highlighted in the awarding body's official statement:

The EU is currently undergoing grave economic difficulties and considerable social unrest. The Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to focus on what it sees as the EU's most important result: the successful struggle for peace and reconciliation and for democracy and human rights. The stabilizing part played by the EU has helped to transform most of Europe from a continent of war to a continent of peace

There have now been 125 winners of the peace prize since its inception, and this is how they break down.

• The vast majority are men: 85, compared to 15 women• In fact there have been more institutions than women - 25 since 1901• 29 winners are from the US• Nearly half of all winners have to share their prize - only 54% get to keep it all to themselves

Let us know if we've missed anything - or what you can do with the data.

About this article

Nobel Peace prize winners - the full list

This article was published on
the Guardian website
at 06.10 EDT on Friday 12 October 2012.
It was last modified at 10.31 EST on Tuesday 13 January 2015.
It was first published at 06.14 EDT on Friday 7 October 2011.